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15 jobs at risk in Glen schools

Phillips: art, music, sports could be affected in new budget

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 31 -- The Watkins Glen School District is looking at a possible staff cut of 15 positions in the upcoming budget, due for approval by the School Board on April 2. It goes to district voters on May 15.

Based on figures in Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive budget -- a blueprint for the Legislature's final budget, due April 1 -- the Watkins district was looking initially at a $1.6 million shortfall, since reduced to about $1.4 million after adoption of a single bus run (down from a double) and the decision to keep next year's fifth graders in the elementary school instead of moving them up to the Middle School. That will permit closure of some Middle School classrooms preparatory to the eventual closing of the Middle School as the district consolidates to a single campus.

But with the fund balance already depleted (as far as the distict dares) in order to reduce the deficit to its current level, Phillips sees position cuts as the only further answer. "In the end, we're talking personnel," he said, "It's in the neighborhood of 15 positions ... and that comes after 17-and-a-half positions were cut over the past two years."

He met with teachers in the school auditorium during a conference day Monday, outlining the doom and gloom. "I give lots of credit to the staff," he said, "because they're putting their heads together to try and come up with solutions. But it's a pretty critical situation at Watkins Glen, and I have to believe it's the same in a lot of other districts.

"This," he added "is what happens when the state imposes a tax cap with no mandate relief. We are now at the classroom door; this will impact what Watkins Glen program looks like."

The district's tax cap of 2.6% "doesn't even cover the increase in pension costs," Phillips said. "And then there's health care and transportation and other expenses. Any homeowner can tell you the cost of everything is going up." In effect, he added, the state "is capping revenue while letting expenditures go out of control."

The likely result? Cuts in non-mandated programs such as technology, music, art and possibly sports, considered extras by the state. "They're not extras to me, though," he said. "They are as critical and important as the core mandated education programs. They keep kids who are at risk engaged in the school.

"I take great pride in offering a quality program. It's sad that we've been put in this predicament. The reality is that we're gonna look a lot different as we move forward" -- the difference being a reduction in non-mandated programs.

"Elected officials," Phillips concluded, "have succeeded in bringing public education to its knees."

Emcee Tracy Gavich, center, hugs Tim Benjamin and Renee Riley after their duet.

Show features student, staff talents

ODESSA, Jan. 29 -- Students performed competition numbers and staff provided additional musical entertainment Saturday night at the inaugural "O-M's Got Talent" show at the Odessa-Montour Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

Voting was done by members of the audience.

Winning first place among student competitors was Carly Lynch-Benjamin for a hula hoop performance, while Amanda Jean Pyhtila won second place for a singing performance. Third place went to Tom Peckham, who sang and played guitar and harmonica.

Other competitors included Joey Thompson, playing guitar; Brittney Bennett singing, Tomeesha Haller singing, Manley Gavich dancing, and the Hot Rod Angels (Matt Stevenson and Andy Stevenson), with an instrumental performance.

Competiton came before an intermission. Afterward, teacher Holly Campbell sang solo and then as part of a duet with teacher Kim Laursen. Laursen in turn sang with her daughter Dani and sister Lisa. Also performing were Tim Benjamin and Renee Riley, playing piano and singing "A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Miserables.

Emcee for the evening was Tracy Gavich. The event was sponsored by the O-M Fine Arts Boosters.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: First-prize winner Carly Lynch-Benjamin, right, and runnerup Amanda Jean Pyhtila.

Bottom: Kim Laursen, left, with daughter Dani and sister Lisa. They performed a couple of songs.

Third-place winner Tom Peckham, facing camera, practices in the school hallway with performer Joey Thompson.

WGHS students preparing for 'Mame'

By Chell Benjamin

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 26 -- Earlier this month, the Watkins Glen Class of 2012 got under way for their spring musical, “Mame,” with a read-through and a few theater games. The read-through was the first of 32 rehearsals leading up to Tech Week – the week of the show where lights, sound, costumes, hair and makeup are added. The show will curtain at the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium March 23rd-25th.

The cast is small, with just under 30 students. But their enthusiasm was evident as we read through the script and listened to parts of the soundtrack to give everyone an idea of the storyline and timeframe of the show. This small group of students in grades 9-12 have already completed “blocking” – learning how they move in and out and around for each scene – and have had their first crack at the majority of the songs in the show. Choreography begins next.

The play tells the story of how the life of free-spirited “Mame” Dennis (Marguerite Kellogg) changes when she becomes the sole living relative and guardian of her 10-year-old nephew, Patrick Dennis (Dakota Cole). After butting heads with her brother’s executer, Dwight Babcock (Chris Flood), Mame decides to put Patrick through the “school of life” rather than a traditional education. The menagerie of people who revolve around this education are Agnes Gooch (Elena Likoudis), his nanny and later Mame’s secretary; Ito (Braedon Fitch), the long suffering and always cheerful butler; and Mame’s "bosom buddy" Vera Charles (Jenna Gimbar), the baritone actress and self-proclaimed world's greatest lush.

When Babcock learns of Patrick’s alternate education, he quickly removes the boy to private school, while Mame loses her fortune through the Crash of 1929. Her woes are soon relieved when she meets and marries Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside (Josh Hamelin). Meanwhile, Patrick (now played by Brenton Whiting) has grown up and become a snob, engaged to debutante Gloria Upson (Rachel St. Julien) of the Mountebank Upsons (Tom Richtmyer and Chelsea Kennard). Mame brings back her entourage and her usual flair to try and return Patrick to his true self.

As we have in the past, my husband and co-director, Tim, and I are putting students in leadership roles in this production. Jessica Brogdon has volunteered to be our Stage Manager again, responsible for the smooth running of the show. Three of our students, Marguerite Kellogg, Sarah “LaLa” LaMascus, and Elise Groll are sharing choreography duties with Mikeala Hinterberger. Sarah Matthews is also back as Musical Director, and Vikki Kosthorst is acting as our vocal coach. Tammy Cole is heading up the Costume Team, for what is our eighth production for WGHS's Senior Class.

The cast list follows:

YOUNG PATRICK: Dakota Cole
PATRICK (older): Brenton Whiting
MAME: Marguerite Kellogg
AGNES GOOCH: Elena Likoudis
DWIGHT BABCOCK: Chris Flood
VERA: Jenna Gimbar
ITO: Braedan Fitch
MOTHER BURNSIDE: Stephanie Rhoads
SALLY CATO: Sarah LaMascus
BEAU: Josh Hamelin
GLORIA UPSON: Rachel St. Julien
PEGEEN RYAN: Kelsie Hamelin
UNCLE JEFF / MR. UPSON: Tom Richtmyer
MRS. UPSON: Chelsea Kennard
COUSIN FAN: Haley DeNardo
RALPH DEVINE: Alex Rundle
GREGOR / LINDSAY: Alex Coxson
MADAME BRANISLOWSKI: Morgan Atwood

CHORUS:
Mackenzie Congdon, Caitlin Connelly, Brooke Grinolds, Elise Groll, Maggie Myers, Yui Nagano, Alexis Naylor, Natasha Patel, Sarah Wickham

Photos in text:

Top: The Dennis Clan
Back row L-R: Alex Coxson, Jenna Gimbar, Braedan Fitch, Dakota Cole
Front row L-R: Elena Likoudis, Marguerite Kellogg, Brenton Whiting

Middle: The Burnsides and Upsons
Back row L-R: Haley DeNardo, Rachel St. Julien, Tom Richtmyer
Front row L-R: Sarah Lamascus, Stephanie Rhoads, Josh Hamelin

Bottom: The Ensemble
Back row L-R: Mackenzie Congdon, Sarah Wickham, Caitlin Connelly, Yui Nagano
Front row L-R: Maggie Myers, Elise Groll, Morgan Atwood, Alexis Naylor, Kelsie Hamelin

Johnson accepted into Veterinary School

Special to The Odessa File

ITHACA, Jan. 18 -- Jesse Johnson, a graduate of Odessa-Montour High School who is attending Cornell University, has been accepted into Cornell's School of Veterinary Medicine.

Johnson, a 2008 graduate of O-M, was a two-time member of The Odessa File-sponsored Top Drawer 24 team of outstanding student-athletes.

Water Aerobics classes offered at O-M

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, Jan. 18 -- Odessa-Montour Central School will host weekly water aerobics classes (“Aerobic Fun in the Water”) this spring. Everyone over 18 is welcome – men and women.

The first class is on Thursdays beginning Feb. 2 and running through April 5 (10 sessions for $70). A Monday class begins Feb. 6 and runs through April 2 (8 sessions for $56).

Both classes need sufficient registered participants to be held. So if you are interested, call now or register online to ensure that the classes are scheduled. Register online at www.gstboces.org or call Carol at 607-739-8170 or 7905. Classes are offered through GST BOCES Adult Education.

No classes are scheduled at Watkins Glen High School during these times.

Glen School budget gap is $1.6 million; Board gives go-ahead on single bus run

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 18 -- The Watkins Glen School Board was informed Tuesday night that the school district is starting with a $1.6 million shortfall as the board begins its planning for the 2012-13 school budget.

That figure was derived Tuesday from information provided in Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive budget, unveiled in the afternoon. Between the time of the announcement and the School Board meeting, Superintendent Tom Phillips and District Treasurer Gayle Sedlack crunched numbers and, using a long formula, arrived at the figure.

"That's what we were doing all afternoon," said Phillips, who -- under the circumstance of the gap -- strongly recommended that the board give the go-ahead to planning for a single bus run (from the current two) at the beginning and end of each school day in the next school year. The board had been considering delaying the move for a year, but decided Tuesday that an expected savings of $100,000 made the move imperative.

Also imperative, they decided, is a move pushed by Phillips for the next school year: keeping this year's 4th grade (next year's 5th) at the elementary school instead of moving it up to the Middle School (which currently holds the 5th through 8th grades). That ties into the ongoing plan for consolidation of the district into a single campus -- funding for which was approved by voters last month.

By keeping the 5th graders at the elementary level, they will be spared a move to the Middle School and then a move back to the elementary school when the Middle School is closed following the construction of some new classrooms and renovations at the high school. Under the reconfiguration of the district, the elementary school will hold K-6, and the high school will hold grades 7-12.

Keeping the 5th graders at the elementary school will also save about $70,000 in expenses, Phillips said, "which is a teacher," meaning the equivalent cost of keeping a teacher who might otherwise be eliminated by cost-cutting in the upcoming budget.

The board also, as an extension of the single bus run, agreed to go with a common time for all of the schools, likely starting at about 8 a.m. The high school currently begins at 7:30, and the other schools later. The specifics of the common time will be worked out in discussions among teachers and administrators.

There will, among all these changes, be "inconveniences," Phillips has said. But Board President Brian O'Donnell seized on a phrase initially uttered by Buildings chief Mike DeNardo: "These are temporary inconveniences for permanent solutions. We will be asking staff to do things differently, as a way to save program and personnel and give the best education possible to our students."

The budget gap:

Phillips and Sedlack explained that while the governor said there would be an increase in aid to the state's 700 school districts of $805 million, $250 million of that is devoted to incentive grants (which Watkins Glen may or may not qualify for), and another $265 million is earmarked elsewhere. That leaves $290 million, with Watkins Glen's portion amounting to a 1.35% increase.

When figuring in expendiuture increases and a revenue drop -- through a lengthy formula -- and taking into account the state's tax cap, the allowable tax levy in the next school year is estimated at $8,195,197, which is about $209,000 (or 2.62%) above the current levy. But there is an estimated increase in expenses of $623,175, up 2.58% from last year. "And revenues are much lower," said Sedlack.

The result is a starting gap of $1.6 million -- not as severe as last year's starting point of $2.3 million, but enough to put the School Board in the position of trying to trim costs without trimming staff or program.

"We have to look hard at everything," said Phillips, "at supplies, at maintenance, at utilities. We have to roll up our sleeves" in an attempt to keep the budget axe "away from the classroom door. We would be talking about 10 positions if we reduced the gap by positions alone."

Every effort will be made to avoid job cuts, he said, but "I can't commit to that" -- to a reassurance that such cuts won't happen.

Photos in text:

Top: School District Treasurer Gayle Sedlack explains anticipated budget figures to the board.

Bottom: School Board President Brian O'Donnell, left, and board member Robert Dill.

Members of the Third and Fourth Grade Chorus perform Santa Surprise. The director, Kim Laursen, is silhouetted in the foreground.

Hanlon students stage a Winter Concert

ODESSA, Jan. 12 -- Music filled the Fetter-Brown Auditorium at Odessa-Montour High School Wednesday night as students from the Hanlon Elementary School presented a Winter Concert to a large audience.

The Third and Fourth Grade Chorus sang three songs: Santa Surprise, Feliz Navidad and Winter is Coming, and the Fifth and Sixth Grade Band played The Little Drummer Boy and A Snowy Christmas Day.

The concert concluded with three selections by the Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus: Please, Let It Snow, followed by Snow Carol and Jingle Bell Boogie.

The band was directed by Michelle Voorheis, and the choruses by Kim Laursen. Sally Michel served as accompanist.

Photo in text: Members of the Fifth and Sixth Grade band play The Little Drummer Boy.

The Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus perform one of their songs.

Braedan Fitch performing "Wading in the Velvet Sea." He won the Judges' Choice Award.

WGHS students display talent at show

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 22 -- Student musical, comedy and dance talent was on display Wednesday at the annual Watkins Glen High School Talent Show in the school auditorium.

The show, which occupied most of the morning leading to an early dismissal for the holiday break, also featured student-created videos.

Winning the award for Overall Best Performance was Sarah LaMascus with a vocal rendition of "Make You Feel My Love."

The Standout Award went to Brenton Whiting for his vocal and piano performance of "Clocks."

The Judges' Choice Award went to Braedan Fitch for a piano performance of "Wading in the Velvet Sea." He was accompanied on guitar by his brother Cam.

The Most Original Award went to the dance group Junior Jabba Wackeez, and the Crowd Favorite Award was presented to Devan Edwards for his Rap performance of "Dead Words."

The Best Video winner was Erin Bond for "The Chase."

Winners were awarded $50 each. The money was provided by the Student Council.

There were 13 other acts, including Jesse Bloodgood on piano, playing an original, "Fighting Shadows"; Elise Groll on piano, playing The Beatles' "Blackbird"; Kelsie Hamelin singing "Broken Wing"; Charlie Teeter with a comedy act; and Ben Bloodgood, Elena Likoudis, Brenton Whiting, Jenna Gimbar, Rachel St. Julien and Jesse Bloodgood performing "Landslide."

Photos in text: Brenton Whiting (top) and Devan Edwards, both award winners.

Left: Stephanie Rhoads, who served as emcee. Right: Sarah LaMascus sings "Make You Feel My Love." She won Overall Best Performance.

Jesse Bloodgood performs "Fighting Shadows."

District's single bus run could be delayed

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20 -- The Watkins Glen School District's timetable for instituting a single bus run is up in the air.

The move from the traditional double run -- seemingly a "go" for next school year -- has hit a potential roadblock: a recognition that until the transition to the single campus approved last week by voters is well under way, high school students on a single run would be subjected to as much as 20 extra minutes per run while Middle School and Elementary School students are picked up on the way.

A suggestion by transportation chief Mike DeNardo that the students would be better served by waiting to institute the single run met with some consternation by Board member Gloria Brubaker, who said district residents have been led to believe the single run would be adopted for next school year.

The Board decided to further discuss the matter in committee next month, with Board President Brian O'Donnell cautioning that even if the choice to delay is made, budget considerations -- meaning potentially deep deficits, depending on state funding in 2012 -- could force institution of the single run next year as a cost-cutting measure.

In other business, the board:

--Heard from Elementary School Principal Rod Weeden that new Math and ELA testing regulations from the State Education Department for third through eighth graders work a hardship on the younger students, considering the length of the testing (multiple 90-minute sessions over the course of a few days).

Superintendent Tom Phillips called the regulations "ridiculous," and said the district would protest them in the hope of getting them altered.

Photos in text:

Among those on hand at the School Board meeting were (top photo, from left) transportation chief Mike DeNardo, Middle School Principal Kristine Somerville and High School Principal Dave Warren, and (bottom photo) board member Mike Myers.

Left: The Sophomore Duke and Duchess, Brendan Hunter and Megan Daigle. Right: The Junior Prince and Princess, Ryan Rondinaro and Chelsea Kennard.

WGHS semiformal selects royalty

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 16 -- The annual Watkins Glen High School semiformal was held recently in the WGHS Field House.

The semiformal royalty selected that night is presented here, in photos.

Left: The Freshman Count and Countess, Luke Flahive and Gabby LaRosa. Right: The Senior King and Queen, Chris Gill and Jenna Gimbar.

Members of the O-M Junior High Chorus perform Frosty and the Hand Jive.

O-M concert heralds the holiday season

ODESSA, Dec. 15 -- Seventh-graders through seniors showed their musical talents Wednesday night at the annual Odessa-Montour Junior High/High School Holiday Concert presented to a packed house in O-M's Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

The Junior High School Band opened the program with Frosty the Snowman, Dance of the Reed Flutes from the Nutcracker Suite (featuring a flute trio of Britney Visscher, Emelia Paulisczak and Simonne DeWalt), and Bugler's Holiday (featuring a trumpet trio of Olivia Scata, Alyssa Crout and Nikki Crout).

The Junior High Chorus followed with Can't Wait for Christmas, Frosty and the Hand Jive, and Getting Ready for the Holidays.

The Senior High Band performed three numbers: Christmas Music for Winds, Christmas at the Movies, and Christmas Declaration.

The Women's Chorus, new this year, then sang Snow is Falling and A Glad Noel, followed by the Senior High Select Ensemble's performances of In the Giving We Receive and God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen.

The Senior High Chorus concluded the evening with The Christmas Shoes, A Winter Night and Bring in Christmas Day.

Michelle Voorheis directed the Junior High School Band, while Clarice Miles directed the Senior High Band and the choruses. Sally Michel served as accompanist.

Photos in text: Part of the High School Band (top); the Women's Chorus (bottom).

The High School Band flute section, with senior Quinn Griswold in focus.

Junior High Band trumpeters included Olivia Scata, Alyssa Crout and Nikki Crout.

The Watkins Glen Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Chorus performs.

Middle School concert marks the season

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 14 -- Instrumental and vocal performances and an art show marked the annual Watkins Glen Middle School Winter Concert, held Tuesday night before a large crowd in the school's auditorium.

The 5th and 6th Grade Band under the direction of Mrs. Sarahjane Harrigan opened the concert with four selections: The Nutcracker March, Believe, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, and Feliz Navidad.

The 5th and 6th Grade Chorus, directed by Mr. Christopher Schiavone, sang five selections: I am a Small Part of the World, Mozart Mania, Home for the Holidays, What the World Needs Now is Love, and Silent Night.

The 7th and 8th Grade Chorus -- with more than 80 students directed by Schiavone -- then performed Sing Alleluia! along with Non Nobis, Domine, Take Five and Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The evening concluded with the 7th and 8th Grade Band directed by Harrigan playing Frosty the Snow Man, Harmonious Blacksmith, Baby, It's Cold Outside and Hey Man, Christmas Swings!

Piano accompaniment was provided by Mrs. Sally Michel. The Art Show was set up in the front lobby, featuring work by Middle School students.

Photos in text:

Top: Members of the Middle School 5th and 6th Grade Chorus sing one of their five selections during Tuesday night's concert.

Bottom: Artwork by Middle School students on display in the lobby.

Members of the 5th and 6th Grade Band perform Feliz Navidad.

Board re-appoints football coaching staff

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 6 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night appointed the Lou Condon Jr.-led varsity football coaching staff to another year at the team's helm.

Joining Condon on the sidelines will be assistant coaches Mike Stephens and Lou Condon Sr. -- the same assistants who helped this past season as the football team posted a 5-3 record a year after it had disbanded five games into the season due to a dwindling roster. This season was Condon Jr.'s first as a head coach.

The re-appointment -- months earlier than usual -- was "in recognition of a job well done," said Superintendent Tom Phillips. It was also designed, he added, "to keep the momentum going and the program heading in the right direction."

Condon was present at the Board session.

Also appointed were David Fregley and Trevor Holland as co-coaches for the Modified A football team, and Dale Irwin as a Modified A volunteer coach.

In addition:

The 2011 Watkins Glen boys varsity cross-country team was honored by the School Board for a season in which the boys won the Section IV, Class C title and competed at States -- the first WGHS cross-country team to do so.

Members of the team were called forward one by one to receive a certificate and a handshake from Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Photo in text: Football Coach Lou Condon Jr.

Watkins Glen High School varsity cross-country team member Rob Rondinaro receives congratulations and a certificate from School Board President Brian O'Donnell. The team was honored for its Section IV, Class C championship.

---------------------------------

Would single-campus concept put Watkins in play as a possible regional school?

Phillips holds second of two hearings on consolidation; vote is Dec. 13

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 6 -- Superintendent Tom Phillips Monday night conducted the second of two public hearings leading to the Dec. 13 vote on funding for the proposed Watkins Glen School District single-campus project.

There were fewer people present from the public sector -- teachers and students predominated this time -- and the tone was milder than at the first hearing in mid-November. And this time the conversation veered into the area of possible state-ordered redistricting -- the creation of large regional school districts.

"This," Phillips said, speaking in the high school library and motioning to the building around him, "is a state-of-the-art facility, If we can contain costs and enhance that position, then we become a regional player, and that's the bigger picture."

Regionalization, he said, could conceivably mean one high school serving an area constituting several current districts, possibly a middle school in another locale, and elementary schools in various communities.

"If we keep our facilities and programs up, I could see some of those kids (in the region) coming here," he said. "I could see (the state) redrawing lines. In that scenario, we could be very well positioned to be a regional high school."

But the smaller, more immediate picture, he added, is the consolidation of the district into a single campus -- through the closing of the Middle School and expansion of the High School-Elementary School complex -- and the pending vote seeking voter approval to finance the project.

The single campus, Phillips said, is essential. He says without the adoption of efficiencies -- and he cites the closing of the Middle School as the top one -- "it is not financially possible to continue down the road we're on ... and maintain program."

He assured one resident in the audience that reduction of state aid to schools in the near future would not affect the campus plan -- that once the state is committed to building aid, that aid is assured. "State aid to education and state building aid are two different things," he said.

When asked why -- since a regional district could be in the school's future -- the Watkins district isn't expanding further to accommodate a possible influx of students, Phillips responded: "I would like (to do) it all at once. But the state wouldn't permit it. And the reality is, the immediate view is how to save programs for kids. I'd rather do this (the single-campus concept) than pour $6 million into the Middle School" -- the amount envisioned to repair that facility.

"The question comes down to this," said Phillips, quoting a slide in a power-point presentation on a screen behind him: "Do you want me to put money into facilities that we do not need, or do you want me to do everything I can to preserve programs for kids?"

If the voters approve financing for the project, he added, "we will have to sit down and lay out" a process to be used in transitioning students from the Middle School to the single campus. The plan would be sent to the State Education Department this summer, with approval expected in the winter, leading to ground-breaking in the spring of 2013, and a completed and open 7-12 campus in September 2014.

If the vote is turned down, he added, "we start figuring renovations we need to maintain a certificate of occupancy" for the Middle School. Those renovations, he said, are contained in the district's Building Condition Survey -- a document outlining all renovations and upgrade projects needed in the district.

Building Condition Surveys are created every five years, Phillips noted, adding: "If we don't do this (single-campus project)," he said, "I'm not sure we can get to another Building Condition Survey as a district."

The vote on the project -- on whether to allow the district to borrow money to undertake it -- will run from noon to 8 p.m. next Tuesday. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, U.S. citizens, and legal residents of the district for at least 30 days.

Photo in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips outlines the proposed single-campus concept -- the subject of a vote from noon-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Ray, Wickham receive scholarships

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 3 -- The Northrup Educational Foundation Inc. recently bestowed checks for $2,500 each to Katlynne Ray (a 2011 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School) and Thomas Wickham (a 2011 graduate of Watkins Glen High School).

The checks were presented to Ray and Wickham during a ceremony at the Watkins Glen Middle School. On hand were O-M Superintendent Jim Frame and Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips, along with former Northrup Foundation president William N. Ellison and current Foundation president Brian O'Donnell.

The Foundation was formed in 1937 "to assist worthy students who are residents of Schuyler County to procure a fundamental education and also to perpetuate the memory of Seaman F. Northrup, his father Flavius W. Northrup, and his mother Josephine M. Northrup."

Ellison, who recently stepped down after 20 years as the Foundation president, remains on the board. His mother Edwina was one of the founding members of the Foundation.

Ray is a freshman at Nazareth College. Wickham attends SUNY Oswego.

Photo in text: From left: Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips, Thomas Wickham, former Northrup Foundation president William N. Ellison, Katlynne Ray and Odessa-Montour School Superintendent Jim Frame. (Photo provided)

The State Education Commissioner, Dr. John B. King, Jr., completes his stop at the buffet table during lunch in the Bradford school library.

State Education Commissioner visits Bradford school, eyes STEM programs

BRADFORD, Dec. 1 -- The State Education Commissioner, Dr. John B. King, Jr., visited three classrooms at Bradford Central School Wednesday, observing the school's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative in action.

King visited a 3rd Grade class, a 6th Grade class, and a high school Robotics class -- which Superintendent Wendy Field and Principal Kelly Houck said was the only one in the immediate region.

Also present -- and discussing STEM with the commissioner -- was Jeremy Wheeler, the GST BOCES coordinator for the STEM programs being carried now in seven of the BOCES unit's 21 school districts.

"I'm here to observe how teachers work with the kids," said King. "STEM is important for preparing students for jobs in the 21st century" -- integrating Math, Science, Engineering and Technology skills.

Bradford, he said, "is trying to focus on hands-on projects, with experiments teaching kids how to apply" their new-found knowledge. The Robotics class, he noted, is an example of course work that might teach "the kind of skills students will need" in the ever-changing working world.

The Commissioner -- who later visited Winfield School in Corning and a meeting of area superintendents -- also touched on:

Consolidation: He envisions this happening among districts, but not simply two districts merging as one. "It's maybe better to have a regional consolidation -- four or five districts."

Property Tax Cap: Bringing in budgets with the state-mandated 2% cap "will be a challenge," King said, noting that no change in the cap is likely in the near future.

Photos in text:

Top: Commissioner John B. King, Jr., right, with Robotics Class teacher Scott Cole and student Brett Rosno.

Second: Sign on a board in the 3rd Grade classroom visited by Dr. King.

Bottom: Dr. King is interviewed by a YNN television reporter.

Dr. King with Principal Kelly Houck (left) and with a gift basket presented to him by students.

Students pass along boxes from the Hesselson's truck.

Students help unload Seneca Santa gifts

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 30 -- As they have in the past, students from Watkins Glen High School helped Tuesday afternoon to unload a Hesselson's truck filled with boxes containing toys, games and dolls donated by that Elmira Heights business to the Seneca Santa program.

Students from the WGHS Interact Club and varsity wrestling squad -- under the guidance of teachers Marie Fitzsimmons and Nils Watson, respectively -- formed an assembly line to pass the boxes from the truck to the back doorway of the First Presbyterian Church, along the hallway inside and up a stairwell to a storage room that serves as the Seneca Santa operating center.

A total of 35 students participated, handling 205 boxes that were stacked in the storage room under the guidance of Tracie McIlroy of the school guidance office. It all took less than a half an hour.

Seneca Santa is an organization devoted to the distribution of gifts to Schuyler County families in need every Christmas season.

Interact is a service-oriented club affiliated with Rotary.

(WGHS senior Jessica Brogdon contributed to this report.)

*****

Photos in text:

Top: Tracie McIlroy receives one of more than 200 boxes stacked in the church storage room.

Bottom: Student Sarah Hazlitt passes a box along to waiting hands on the stairs.

WGHS plans holiday concert Dec. 8

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 30 -- Watkins Glen High School music students will host their holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. December 8 in the High School auditorium.

The event will feature the concert and jazz bands, chorus and flute ensemble. Selections will include: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!, Silver Bells and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus featuring the combined band and chorus.

The concert is free and open to the public. Snow date for the event is December 12.

Glen PTO to host Breakfast with Santa

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 29 -- The Watkins Glen Parent Teacher Organization will host its annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. December 10 in Watkins Glen Elementary School cafeteria #2.

The event features an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, photos with Santa and basket raffles. Children also can purchase inexpensive gifts for their friends and family and have them gift-wrapped at the Kids’ Christmas Store.

The cost is $6 per person for adults and $3.50 for children ages 4-12. Children under age four are free.

The PTO will use all proceeds from the event to support Watkins Glen schools.

Information night set on marijuana use

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 23 -- Watkins Glen High School’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) club will host a parent information night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in the High School library.

A speaker from the Council on Alcoholism will present information on marijuana use in teens. The session is open to all interested Middle and High School parents.

The event will be held as part of the school’s parent-teacher conference night. Refreshments will be provided by the PTO.

Commissioner to visit Bradford school

Special to The Odessa File

BRADFORD, Nov. 23 -- New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. John B. King, Jr. will visit the Bradford Central School District and Winfield Elementary School in the Corning-Painted Post Area School District on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

The school visits will be followed by a stop at Corning Incorporated Corporate Headquarters. In the evening, the Greater Southern Tier School Boards Association will host a reception at Campbell-Savona High School that will feature remarks by the Commissioner followed by a question-and-answer session.

Dr. King was appointed by the Board of Regents to serve as Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York in July. This will be his first visit to the GST BOCES region. The focus of his trip is to see first-hand the work of the regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative. Within the STEM initiative, schools are using an inquiry-based science curriculum called Full Option Science System (FOSS), and the Commissioner will see FOSS lessons in action during his school visits.

The schedule is as follows:
11:00-11:15 a.m.: Third-grade class FOSS-STEM lesson, Bradford Central School
11:15-11:30: Sixth-grade class FOSS-STEM Lesson, Bradford Central School
11:30-11:45: Robotics class visit, Bradford Central School
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Lunch, Bradford Library
12:45-1:15: Third-grade FOSS lesson, Winfield Elementary School
1:30-3:00: Meeting with regional superintendents, C-PP District Office
3:15-4:00: Meeting at Corning Incorporated Corporate Headquarters
5:45-6:45: Commissioner’s remarks and question-and-answer session, Campbell-Savona
High School.

Photo in text: Dr. John B. King, Jr. (Photo provided)

Superintendent Tom Phillips addresses those attending the informational session.

Phillips on proposed project: 'We have to consolidate'

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 16 -- Watkins Glen School Superintendent Tom Phillips issued an impassioned plea Wednesday night for voters to support the district's single-campus consolidation plan in balloting Dec. 13.

Citing state mandates, reductions in state aid, and the cost of keeping an aged building -- the Watkins Glen Middle School -- operating while requiring much less space than it provides, Phillips told a gathering of 30 area residents on hand for an informational session in the high school library that "we can't continue to keep things the way they are. We have to consolidate and contain our costs as a means of survival -- or we won't be able to deliver mandated program for the kids.

"Education is in peril. We can't wait for someone else to rescue us. Hence this project, where we can contain costs while revenue is dripping away from us. We're trying through this to reallocate revenue to the kids and program. That's my only motivation here.

"We can't wait," he added, for the State Senate and Assembly "to sing Kumbaya and do something. We have to act for our kids."

Added Watkins Glen School Board President Brian O'Donnell, sitting in the audience: "Things can't keep going the way they're going (in the state) ... or there won't be education in this district."

The project calls for the closing of the Middle School and consolidation of all grades on one campus -- where the high school and elementary school are. It would require construction of some new classrooms and various renovations, including covering the old pool (replaced when the Field House was built a decade ago) and turning that room into a gym for middle school and possibly elementary school children.

Consolidation would eliminate 93,700 square feet of space (the Middle School) and add 19,500 on the single campus. Cost of the project would "not exceed $24,662,190," Phillips has said. He explained that 98% of the proposal is state aidable at a rate of 81%. Bottom line, district officials have explained, is that the local share would be $6,625,000, financed at the outset by a bond anticipation note, but offset over succeeding years by savings realized by exiting the Middle School and possibly selling it.

Four potential Middle School buyers have contacted the district, he said, two of them within our region and two outside of it. But any sale could not be effected until the district has finished with the structure and declared it as a surplus item.

When Phillips was asked by a resident in the audience what effect dissolution of one or more surrounding districts -- if ordered by the state government -- might have on the Watkins district, Phillips responded: "We've talked about that. That's all stuff that goes into the planning. But we have to plan on the here and now. Who says we'd get all the kids from another district? Who says some our our kids might not go to Trumansburg if the lines were redrawn? But I don't think we'd have a wholesale district added to ours."

If more students were added under such a scenario, he said, "we'd first increase class size. It doesn't mean more (building) expansion, but there could be."

However, ultimately, he said, "I have to plan with what I know."

Another question from the audience: Is artificial turfing of the athletic field in the plan?

The answer: No. The plan calls for re-covering of the track and resealing of the tennis courts, but has nothing to do with the athletic field.

The vote on the project -- in reality on whether to allow the district to borrow money to undertake the project -- is set for Dec. 13 in the district-office lobby from noon to 8 p.m. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, U.S. citizens, and legal residents of the district for at least 30 days.

Photos in text: Some of the district residents at the meeting, and one of the project displays.

A table full of seniors enjoyed a hearty breakfast before boarding buses for Washington, D.C.

WGHS seniors leave for Washington

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 14 -- Seventy-six Watkins Glen High School seniors and 10 chaperones boarded a pair of tour buses Monday morning for the school's annual Senior Trip to Washington, D.C.

Boarding was outside Seneca Lodge. In the hour leading up to it, students sat inside the restaurant, feasting on a buffet breakfast. The breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, oatmeal and juice.

The buses departed shortly after 7 a.m., and were expected to reach Washington in the late afternoon. A stop was planned in Gettysburg for lunch and to tour Little Round Top, one of the best-known locales in the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg.

The students are staying this week in a Comfort Inn in Falls Church, Virginia, when not traveling around D.C., visiting museums, memorials, Mount Vernon, the National Cathedral and the National Zoo.

Also on tap: a show at the Kennedy Center, attendance at a Cirque de Soleil performance, a trip to a Dinner Theater in nearby Woodbridge, Virginia, a visit to Congressman Tom Reed, and a visit to the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial. Colonel A. Phillip Waite Jr., conductor of the United States Air Force Band and a graduate of Watkins Glen High School, will be present at that Memorial to meet with the students.

Friday marks the return of the students to Schuyler County. The buses will arrive at the school at about 8 p.m.

Photo in text: Seniors (from left) Maggie Myers, Elena Likoudis, Rachel St. Julien and Jenna Gimbar arrive at Seneca Lodge.

Left: Seniors Jessica Brogdon, left, and Angela Keough. Right: Chaperone Marie Fitzsimmons serves herself some breakfast at the Seneca Lodge buffet.

Members of the Interact Club serve up Thanksgiving Dinner to members of the community.

WG Interact Club's dinner is again a hit

By JESSICA BROGDON

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 13 -- It was a cheery afternoon filled with neighbors and savory food as the Watkins Glen Interact Club hosted its 15th annual Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday in the Watkins Glen High School Cafeteria.

Marie Fitzsimmons and Nancy Laughlin, who originally thought of the idea, are elated as to how much this special event has grown.

“Every year we raise money at the NASCAR event to fund our dinner," said Fitzsimmons. "We never ever accept payment, though, because this is our chance to take care of our lovely community.”

Watkins Glen students were hard at work throughout the afternoon to ensure every guest was taken care of. Work began at 6 a.m. chopping, dicing, and slicing away at various vegetables grown in the local community garden. An astonishing 100 pounds of potatoes and squash were donated from this garden, all thanks to Mr. Ed Murphy.

With over 75 take-out orders, students bustled around to Jefferson Village and Romeo Village, and to individual homes for personal deliveries too.

As the cafeteria slowly filled with hungry guests, students and staff took on numerous roles. Kirk Peters tirelessly carved turkeys, band members provided entertainment (with the help of Diana Groll), Pat Stansfield aided students in the kitchen, and Jenna Gimbar and Elise Groll played away on the piano. Meanwhile, additional students warmly welcomed and served each guest.

The senior class helped as much as they could, but shortly ran home to pack for their week-long journey to Washington D.C. They leave Monday at 8 a.m.

Full happy stomachs filled the atmosphere around two o’clock when the event came to a close. What used to be a five-hour dinner is now a short and sweet two-hour occurrence. However, this experience would not have been made possible if it weren’t for the donations from Tops, Glen Mountain Market, and Wegmans.

After supper, guests were given tickets to attend the Sunday performance of the Lake Country Players' “Sweeney Todd” in the high school auditorium.

Judging by the smiles that left the cafeteria, it seems that the annual Thanksgiving Dinner was a success yet again. The Interact Club looks forward to seeing their dear customers next year.

(Brogdon is a senior at WGHS and president of the school's Interact Club.)

Photos in text:

Top: Interact's Jenna Gimbar, left, and Sarah Wickham prepare take-out meals.

Bottom: Kirk Peters slices up turkey in the school kitchen.

WGHS band members entertain diners with an array of soft music.

A Halloween swim practice

The Watkins Glen girls varsity swim team poses Monday during practice. Some of the swimmers were in Halloween outfits, befitting the day. The squad, which just hosted the IAC Swimming and Diving Championships, is hosting the Section IV, Class C preliminaries on Wednesday.

O-M juniors (from left) Sydney Eberhardt, Ashton Stadelmaier and Brittany VanAmburg were stationed at the end of a hallway.

It was Fright Night at O-M

ODESSA, Oct. 30 -- The 10th annual Fright Night -- an evening of candy and cobwebs and scary creatures -- was held Saturday night at Odessa-Montour High School.

Children young and very young, led by their parents along the O-M hallways at the front of the school, were treated to the vision of spiders and skeletons and huge, grabbing cobwebs -- and rewarded with candy distributed by high school students seated along the way.

The evening was a busy one, perhaps enhanced by a Halloween party -- with meals and face-painting and cotton candy and baked goods and hayrides -- at the nearby Odessa Baptist Church. Youngsters and parents attending one party appeared to be sharing time at the other party, as well.

All in all, the festivities were a popular lead-in to Monday evening's trick or treating, scheduled from 6-8 p.m. in the village.

Photo at right: One-year-old Abigail Edsall was mesmerized by a lighted jack o'lantern at Odessa-Montour's Fright Night.

Youngsters and their parents enjoyed a hayride on the streets of Odessa, courtesy of a Fall Family Fun Day party at the Baptist Church.

The north-south hallway at the front of the O-M High School was decorated for Fright Night.

Consolidation plan vote date made official by School Board

District residents have their say on December 13

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 18 -- The Watkins Glen School Board -- conducting a meeting for the first time through the use of laptop computers -- made it official Monday night: Voters will decide on Tuesday, Dec. 13 whether the school district can borrow money to undertake a consolidation project that would place all students, K-12, on one campus along 12th Street.

The vote will be in the district office lobby from noon to 8 p.m.

The board had already published fact sheets pertaining to the vote, and had announced the date. But the resolution approved Monday night not only sanctioned the vote, but provided for a couple of changes in the plan, in keeping with discussions with the New York State Education Department, which is expected to help finance the project.

The number of classrooms being added through construction at the high school -- to help accommodate the move of students from the Middle School (which would be closed and sold under the proposal) -- would not exceed 10, and could be fewer if so designated by the state. And the project wording has limited the cost. It is "not to exceed $24,662,190."

The local share of the project is expected to be $6,625,000, financed at the outset by a bond anticipation note, but offset over succeeding years by savings realized by leaving the Middle School and selling it. School Superintendent Tom Phillips has said that at the end of 16 years, the district will actually "end up slightly to the good" financially, the savings overtaking the local share of consolidation.

Phillips said the state has been "doing due diligence" in trying to determine whether the project is economical and will introduce necessary efficiencies. The best answer, he said, is to point out that it proposes "giving up 93,700 square feet (the Middle School) for an addition of 19,500 square feet (at the high school complex). My hope is that they will understand what we're doing."

The board also -- in regards to the project -- approved a State Environmental Quality Review Negative Declaration resolution saying, in effect, that the project poses no adverse environmental impact.

In other business:

--The board gave the go-ahead for the High School Chorus to pursue fund-raising for a proposed trip to a music festival in Sandusky, Ohio. The board indicated it supports the trip, which would be financed by the Chorus -- whose director, Christopher Schiavone, told board members that the High School Band is also interested in participating. All told, about 85 students could go. Final board approval will hinge, however, on whether the fund-raising efforts are successful.

--Approved an amendment in the coaching situation for Indoor Track. Last year's varsity coach, Robert Kurcoba, and his assistant coach, Alyssa Hoobler, are switching roles -- with Hoobler becoming coach and Kurcoba the assistant -- to accommodate the demands of a new job that Kurcoba has, which will limit his time at practices.

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, foreground, and School Board members at tables with laptops -- an instrument with which they plan to run "paperless meetings" (although Monday's session also had paper reports on hand as a backup measure).

Bottom: Board clerk Sharon Clark, right, and board member Gloria Brubaker at one of the laptops being used by the board at the meeting.

Students and staff -- all wearing orange -- pose in front of the main office at WGHS.

Wearing orange against bullying

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 13 -- Orange was a pronounced color Wednesday at Watkins Glen High School, the day set by the National Bullying Prevention Center to show support -- by wearing orange -- for children who are bullied.

It was part of National Bullying Prevention Month -- the result, in part, of highly publicized incidents of cyberbullying that have resulted in teen suicides. High school has for decades been a prime location of bullying, and the Internet and social networking have given it a place to expand.

Said one e-mailer -- a 12-year-old girl -- quoted on the Prevention Center website: "Bullying people is the worst thing you can do to someone."

For more information on the anti-bullying effort, visit the Prevention Center website here.

Balloons in front of the Junior Class section.

Classes battle in Color Wars

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 8 -- It was time Friday for Homecoming at Watkins Glen Central School, and adding to the spirit of the day was the annual Color Wars.

The event, started several years ago, features each class with its own color, competing in contests and trying to outshout the others. It fills the Field House gym with color and some very loud noises.

The freshman class was donned in white, the sophomores in silver, the juniors in maroon and the seniors in blue -- with the two upper classes entering the gym from opposite doors, en masse, one class at a time. The freshmen and sophomores watched, for now; their turn for such an entrance will come in succeeding years.

This year, the Spirit Court King and Queen were William Pastrick and Danielle Teed.

The festivities led to the Homecoming Parade later in the day, which preceded the football game against Edison -- won by WGHS 42-20. The Senior Class won the float award, followed in order of voting by the juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

Photo in text: In the Senior Class section.

Members of the Freshmen Class at Color Wars.

Members of the Sophomore Class.

Some of the Junior Class, in appropriate colors.

Later, before the football game, seniors ride atop their float, which won the Best Float award.

Watkins School Board OKs winter coaching appointments

Bond steps down, succeeded by Conklin

WATKINS GLEN, Oct. 4 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night approved a winter coaching slate that involved a couple of key changes -- one of which was previously unpublicized.

The board approved the appointment of Chris Clark as head coach of the girls varsity basketball team -- a move expected after the announced departure weeks ago of incumbent Michelle Simiele from the post. Clark had served as JV coach last year.

Also approved was WGHS alumna Jennifer Conklin as boys varsity swim coach, succeeding Jason Bond -- who had led the team to IAC and Section IV, Class C championships the past two seasons. That move came as a surprise.

Superintendent Tom Phillips said he didn't know the reason for the departure -- only that word of Bond's decision not to remain had been transmitted to the district office recently by "the athletic department."

However, Bond (pictured at right) had various reasons, which he discussed later in a phone interview. (See Sports)

Other appointments:

Boys varsity basketball: John Fazzary, with volunteer assistant David Waite; JV Jim Scott.

Girls varsity basketball: Volunteer assistant to Clark will be Harold Chaffee; JV Alicia Learn.

Varsity wrestling: Nils Watson.

Varsity bowling: Ward Brower.

Varsity Indoor Track: Rob Kurcoba, with Assistant Alyssa Hoobler.

Varsity Cheerleading: Marcy Estey, with Volunteer Assistant Lee Smith; JV Jackie Orr-Bubb.

****

In other business, the Board:

--Decided to try "paperless board meetings" after a report from Board Clerk Sharon Clark that detailed how there are many districts trying it -- utilizing computer-based reports and using laptops at meetings.

--Heard how computer-based progress reports are making inroads in the district elementary and middle schools in place of paper reports sent home at intervals. The online reports, transmitted through secure lines, "are pretty informative," said Phillips, in that they show parents their children's classroom progress in great detail, "assignment by assignment."

--Heard Phillips say that students Marguerite Kellogg and Sarah LaMascus have been selected to perform at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Conference -- the first two WGHS selectees since he arrived as superintendent.

--Heard a report on the school year thus far from Student Council President Charlie Bascom, who told the Board that the Council wants "to establish a relationship with you guys," in that a working rapport "is important to the student body." Present with him were vice president Shawn Bliss, secretary Haley DeNardo and treasurer Natasha Patel.

Photos in text:

Top: The Student Council visited the School Board meeting. From left: Natasha Patel, Haley DeNardo, Shawn Bliss and Charlie Bascom.

Middle: Former boys varsity swim coach Jason Bond.

Bottom: Board members Robert Dill and Gloria Brubaker before the meeting began.

O-M's Chapman earns Commended status

ODESSA, Sept. 28 -- Odessa-Montour High School senior Matthew Chapman has been named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corp. (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented to Chapman by O-M Principal Greg Conlon.

According to an NMSC press release, "about 34,000 such students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 Prelimiary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

"We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

O-M Homecoming Queen candidates were, from left: Taylor Wade, Vickie Burnham, Taylor Carey, Erin Terry and Amanda Williams. Terry was named Queen.

Homecoming Parade, Hall of Fame inductions held at O-M

ODESSA, Sept. 24 -- It was a busy evening at Odessa-Montour High School Friday.

It was Homecoming Day, so the school's classes unveiled their floats and paraded them along the Odessa streets in a light, steady rain as evening approached. The five Homecoming Queen candidates rode along, perched on open-air vehicles.

It was O-M Sports Hall of Fame Day, too, with individuals and teams being inducted. The honorees were the subject of a dinner in the O-M cafeteria, and then were honored during halftime of the evening's football entertainment, the annual Bucket Game between O-M and intracounty rival Watkins Glen.

The queen candidates were Taylor Carey, Taylor Wade, Vickie Burnham, Amanda Williams and Erin Terry. It was Terry who, at halftime of the football game, was named Queen.

The HOF inductees were Frank Carey, Karen Kotmel, Andrew Learn and Skip McCarty. All but Kotmel wee present. The teams were the 1982 O-M Softball team coached by Ed LoPresti, and the 1986 Boys Basketball team coached by Roger Myers. Both coaches and some of the players from each team were present for the ceremony.

Named for induction but not present for the official ceremony until next year are Stefanie Collins and the 2000-01 Girls Basketball Team, which Collins led to a Class D State Championship.

Photos in text: The O-M Sophomore Class float; O-M Hall of Fame inductee Skip McCarty.

Left: O-M Sports Hall of Fame inductee Andy Learn is congratulated by former O-M Athletic Director and Coach Roger Myers. Right: HOF inductee Frank Carey.

Odessa mayor loses bet ... and his hair

ODESSA, Sept. 23 -- The Mayor of Odessa got clipped Friday night -- thanks to a bet he engineered.

Mayor Keith Pierce decided to spice up the annual intracounty high school football rivalry between Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen by betting the Mayor of Watkins Glen, Mark Swinnerton. The wager was this: the mayor representing the winning team would shave, or buzz cut, the head of the coach representing the losing team.

Pierce's O-M Indians lost the game 33-6, so afterward, seated in a chair near the athletic field concession stand, he submitted to the clippers wielded by Swinnerton.

Pierce appeared nervous -- although his hair was pretty short to begin with. There wasn't a lot of it to lose.

"You better be good at this," he said to Swinnerton as a crowd gathered to watch. Then he added: "I'm calling for a rematch next year already."

Minutes later, the deed was done.

Photo in text: Odessa Mayor Keith Pierce's haircut nears completion. (See another photo in the Bucket Game report on Sports.)

Students at Watkins Glen High School gathered Thursday night near their bonfire.

Bonfires mark school spirit heading into the Bucket Game

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Sept. 23 -- Flames shot skyward at both the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools Thursday night as both schools lit traditional bonfires on the eve of the annual Bucket Game.

The game, tonight (Friday) at 7 p.m. on O-M's Charles Martin Field, can make or break the season for each team. In this case, O-M is still looking for its first win after three losses, while Watkins Glen is 1-1 and has a two-touchdown lead in another game suspended at halftime three weeks ago because of excessive heat.

School spirit was evident at both institutions Thursday night. At WGHS, the cross-country team staged a Taco Supper for the public that led to the school's Open House, which was followed by a bonfire near the corner of the rear parking lot.

At O-M, the fall sports teams were introduced on the football field, culminating in cheers for the football team, which will try to reclaim the beat-up old container that goes each year to the Bucket Game winner. Then came O-M's own bonfire, lit near Martin Field.

Last year, Watkins Glen won the bucket in the season opener -- and then didn't win again, its season ended early by a dwindling, injury-plagued roster. The Bucket Game win was the school's 27th in the annual showdown, compared to 20 for O-M.

A few years ago, this website offered an essay on The Bucket. It went in part like this:

Consider, if you will, The Bucket.

The beat-up, (possibly) tin-plated (though no one seems to know the identity of its primary substance for sure), sorry looking, oft-maligned but ever-resilient Bucket.

We're talking the Watkins Glen vs. Odessa-Montour football rivalry bucket here. The one that goes to whichever school wins The Bucket Game. The winner holds the dented, scratched container -- which is affixed with scores of games from throughout its history, as well as a Chiquita Banana sticker -- for a year, until the next Bucket Game is played.

Craig Cheplick, a teacher at WGHS, was the football coach there years ago, in the early '80s. When his team won the big game on a pass caught by a leaping, elevating Jim Combs in the fog, excessive celebration somehow triggered the disappearance of The Bucket -- and its reappearance hanging from a tree on Connecticut Hill. Lore has it that a coach from another sport transported the vessel to its hilly perch.

It is a container that has undoubtedly held all manner of liquid and solid. You don't even want to know what. Let's just say you wouldn't want to drink out of it -- although victorious players have been known to do so.

There was more -- but you get the gist. It is, despite its condition, a highly prized object. It is a symbol each year of one school's football superiority over the other. It is the objectification of bragging rights.

And it's up for grabs again tonight.

Photos in text: Students at WGHS deliver wood for the bonfire; an Odessa firefighter lights the O-M bonfire; and The Bucket.

Watkins Glen teacher Kelly Muir and her son, senior Nick Sorensen, are bathed in the red glow of the school's bonfire.

Left: WGHS cross-country runners (from left) Courtney Waite, Matt Gill and Charlie Bascom at the taco serving table. Right: A couple of taco meals.

Left: O-M Football Coach Bob Lee at Thursday evening's festivities. Right: A little girl -- silhouetted by O-M's athletic field lights -- gets a ride on an adult's shoulders, and grabs his hat.

The O-M football team, surrounded by members of other O-M sports teams, holds helmets aloft in a show of unity on the football field.

This chart shows the configuration of the single campus. Colorized sections denote work needed according to the district's Building Condition Survey.

Vote set for Dec. 13 on Glen campus consolidation plan

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 20 -- Voters in the Watkins Glen School District will vote Tuesday, Dec. 13 on whether to permit the district to borrow money to undertake a consolidation project that would place all students, K-12, on one campus along 12th Street.

School Board members were given a tour of the high school and elementary school Monday evening before a brief board session. Both the tour and the meeting focused on the consolidation project, with Buildings chief Mike DeNardo explaining many of the changes that would be undertaken.

Consolidation, approved earlier this year by the board in concept, has been refined in the ensuing months. Once a 36,000-square-foot project, it has been reduced to 19,500 square feet as district officials conferred with teachers on their needs and concentrated on efficiency.

Should the voters approve the bonding needed for the project, one essential offshoot will be the closing of the Middle School -- although Superintendent Tom Phillips pointed out that the vote is not on the closing itself, but rather on financing. If the financing is approved, the Middle School would, in the course of the consolidation, be closed and sold.

Thus far, said Phillips, four private "entities" interested in the building have been given tours of it. He mentioned, in passing, the possibility of a price of "$700,000 or $800,000," but said whatever the district received "would be used to pay down the debt" on the consolidation project.

The cost of consolidation, he told the board, would be $24,662,190, well below the $33,684,787 it would cost the district to complete all of the work identified as needed in a Building Condition Survey conducted at the behest of the state. That $33 million, Phillips noted, "would allow us to maintain the current district configuration."

One major cost of maintaining the status quo, both Phillips and DeNardo said, is the Middle School itself, an old structure with 93,000 square feet of space where only about 20,000 is needed. "As Mike keeps reminding me," said Phillips of his Building chief, "no matter how much money we put into the Middle School, we still have the same 1929 building."

The consolidation pricetag of $24 million, he said, would not only cover new construction and the renovation of various parts of the high school and elementary school -- allowing for inclusion of the Middle School grades into the 12th Street campus -- but would "allow us to modernize our facilities," including state-of-the-art technology.

The project would include a relocation of the district office across the lobby from its current location, and expansion of the library as the north wall is removed and the building extended.

There would be new classrooms, reconfigured classrooms, renovated classrooms, improved kitchen facilities, a cafeteria expansion (taking the capacity to 350 from 220), a multi-purpose Home Economics room attached to the cafeteria that could be used at special events such as International Night or dances, alteration of the Wrestling Room into an auxiliary gym, alteration of the old pool into a gymnasium with the pool either filled or covered (undecided as of now), a corridor at the end of the current History hallway that would include Special Ed rooms and 11th and 12th grade classrooms, removal of classroom TVs in favor of Internet access, updating of the Elementary and High School auditoriums, and a host of other changes aimed at maximizing efficiency.

The consolidation would, by the time the project is implemented in September 2014, eliminate the need for the Middle School, and the travel by students from that facility to the High School for various programs and sports. The Elementary School would house grades K-6, while the High School would become home to 7th through 12 grades, and likely be known as the Watkins Glen Junior-Senior High School.

The costs projected by district officials do not take into account the distinct possibility of state aid, which is being withheld on such projects around the state until districts can "demonstrate efficiency," said Phillips. Such money is available, he said -- perhaps a half-million dollars or more -- and "a very good possibility. But we can't assume it and tell the public we're getting it. I'd rather announce it when it happens."

There is also the probability of grants, he said -- "a real probability." Both state aid and grants, if received, would be used to pay down the project debt, he added.

An added bonus of selling the Middle School to a private concern, he said, would be the addition of that property to the tax rolls -- which would add to the district's tax coffers.

The vote on the project financing will be held from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 in the lobby outside the district offices at the high school.

Phillips said he and DeNardo and representatives from the Hunt engineerng firm would be visiting service organizations such as the Rotary and Lions Club, outlining the plan and answering questions. That will lead to public information sessions at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in the high school library and at the same location on Dec. 5, following that evening's School Board meeting.

Photos in text: School district Buildings chief Mike DeNardo with the consolidation plans on display at the School Board meeting; and School Board members stop at the old pool during their facilities tour Monday evening

This chart denotes additions (in blue) and renovations (in green) in the consolidation plan.

Watkins students start year with new learning tools

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Agu. 29 -- Students at Watkins Glen Middle and High Schools will have powerful new tools to help them succeed at school this year. All students in grades 5-12 in the district will receive an HP Pavilion netbook at the beginning of the year, which will be used for everything from completing and turning in homework to taking notes.

This is an expansion of -- and improvement over -- the district’s earlier MLD (Mobile Learning Device) project, which began at the Middle School two years ago using Verizon smart phones. This is the first year that the project has been expanded into the High School, and also the first year that the district has provided netbooks for students.

The continuation and expansion of the project was made possible by a federal “Learning on the Go” grant the district received earlier this year. Watkins is one of only 20 districts in the country to receive this funding, according to a release from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office.

Gillibrand -- who visited the Watkins Glen Middle School on June 3, stopping in an Afterschool class where some students were working with netbooks -- was instrumental in securing the $170,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission. The money is funding the purchase of Internet service for the 850 netbooks provided by Verizon.

School officials say that using the netbooks, students can:

--Use Google and other search engines to look up information for term papers or projects, anywhere a Verizon cell phone signal is available.
--Keep up with homework and class activities if absent from school.
--Access digital lessons created by their teachers, which can include multiple sources of information such as instructional videos, content specific articles, online chats with experts within a field, and creative programs that will make for interesting and fun presentations.
--Keep track of all their school notes, lessons and assignments without the use of multiple notebooks.
--Participate in a class discussion through a secure online forum.
--Access some textbooks electronically.

“The focus of this initiative is to provide all students with equal access to the tools they need to be successful learners,” said Watkins Glen School District Superintendent Tom Phillips. “The use of technology is simply a core competency that our students must have if they are going to successfully compete in a global economy.”

Photo in text: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during her visit to the Middle School in June.

Nursing graduates: Back, left to right: Bridget Nugent (of Elmira), Courtney DeStephen (Dundee), Lindsey Drake (Savona), Jacqueline Shubuck (Newfield), and Nicole Blanchard (Arkport). Front, left to right: Emily Dalecki (Burdett), Lynsey Bennett (Athens, Pa.), Melinda Burns (Elmira), and Linda Cain (Millerton, Pa.). (Photo provided)

WG alum Dalecki among nursing graduates

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, June 29 -- Nine graduates participated in the Arnot Ogden Medical Center School of Nursing’s 128th commencement exercises, held June 23 at Appleridge in Horseheads.

Graduating members of the class of 2011 included Emily Dalecki of Burdett, a Watkins Glen High School alumna.

All graduates received their diplomas and nursing pins. Some left with additional honors. Among honors presented, Dalecki received the Isabelle Whitney Award.

Watkins School Board renews SRO pact

WATKINS GLEN, June 21 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night renewed its agreement with the Watkins Glen Village Police Department for the services in 2011-12 of School Resource Officer (SRO) Mike Powers.

"The collaboration agreement will remain in place," said Superintendent Tom Phillips, who explained that -- unless hoped-for federal funding comes through -- payment will be made from the school district's General Fund.

But, he explained, the money paid by the district is not for Powers' full-time hours, but rather as reimbursement for the part-time hours paid by the police department for a patrolman replacing Powers on its staff.

Even if federal funds come through to finance the SRO program, Phillips said, "I suggest we stay with the village. This has worked tremendously for us."

The arrangement with the village began last year after the state abandoned its funding of resource officers. Powers succeeded now-retired State Trooper David Waite in the post.

In other business, the board:

--Approved the appointment of Alyssa Hoobler as girls varsity soccer coach, and Jackie Bubb as Modified A cheerleading coach.

--Heard from Transportation Director Mike DeNardo that the district buses passed an inspection by the State Department of Transportation with a score of 100%.

--Did not name a successor to Athletic Director Denise Wickham, who resigned earlier in the month, effective on June 30. Superintendent Phillips said the administration was giving further consideration to the matter before acting on it.

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, and School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

Bottom: School Board member Mike Myers at Monday's meeting.

Glen School Board appoints Condon Jr. as new grid coach

Wickham resigns as Athletic Director

For a meeting summary from the district, click here.

WATKINS GLEN, June 7 -- The Watkins Glen School Board Monday night approved a slate of fall coaches that includes 29-year-old Lou Condon Jr. as the new varsity football coach.

Condon served last year as a Watkins Glen assistant on the staff of then-head coach Mike Johnston. Serving with Condon will be his father, Lou Condon Sr., as well as Mike Stephens. Both assistants have a long list of coaching experience, and the latter also served on Johnston's Seneca staff last year.

Meanwhile, the School Board made two moves regarding three-year Athletic Director Denise Wickham, first approving her for tenure, and then accepting her resignation.

Wickham, Superintendent Tom Phillips said, has "decided to pursue several professional opportunities that came her way. I want to thank her for the work she put forth, especially in making sure our coaching certifications are in place. She shepherded the ship through turbulent waters."

In addition to the Condons and Stephens, coaching appointees include Henry Ferguson, returning to helm the boys varsity soccer team, aided by Volunteer Assistant Mark Stephany; Modified Boys Coach Nils Watson; Modified Girls Coach Brian Gardner; Varsity Girls Swim Coach Abby Tormey, with Melissa Kissell as her assistant coach; 7th-8th Grade Swim Coach Kelsey Wood; Varsity Volleyball Coach Krysti Westervelt; JV Volleyball Coach Kiersten Ray; Varsity Cross Country Coach Marie Fitzsimmons; and Varsity Cheerleading Coach Marcy Estey.

Condon, who turns 30 in September, has what he called "7 or 8 years of experience" as an assistant coach, first as a volunteer and then as a paid assistant under Mike Johnston Jr. at Corning West, and then last year under Mike Johnston Sr. at Watkins Glen. That season ended prematurely, after five games, when the roster was depleted by injuries.

The continuity in the team's coaching ranks from last year to this is a large positive, said Condon, who plans to "put the fun back in the game. We have good kids here who will bring the excitement back" to the playing field.

Another positive, he said, is the movement of the annual Bucket Game against intracountry rival Odessa-Montour to the fourth game of the season. It has been played in recent years as the season opener, scheduled even before the start of classes. "We're happy about that," Condon said of the new date. "We'll be pumped up and ready to go."

Condon said he and his staff met several weeks ago with prospective players, and that 43 showed up from the 8th through 11th grades -- next year's 9th through 12th graders. Some of them will play Modified A ball, while the varsity hopes to end up with a group of 28 to 36 players. A roster in that range, he said, "would be a fair number."

Condon, a Crisis Management Specialist with the Snell Farms Children Center in Bath, is single and lives in Painted Post, as does his father -- who is coming out of retirement to help his son.

Working alongside his father on the football field, says the younger Condon, has been "one of the biggest dreams in my entire life -- not just to be a head coach, but to coach with him. I've watched him and learned from him over the years, but we've never coached together before." The senior Condon was a longtime varsity baseball coach in the Corning School District, as well as a Modified and Junior Varsity football coach who worked with Mike Johnston Jr. at West.

Stephens, from Elmira, was a Southside High School varsity football and wrestling coach.

Condon Jr. said that he owes "a big thank-you to Mike Johnston Sr. for mentoring me over the years. And I thank the School Board and Mr. Phillips for this opportunity -- as well as (AD) Denise Wickham. She was a big help during this transition.

Athletic Director: With the resignation of Wickham, the school district is without an Athletic Director, but might act on the matter at its next meeting on June 20, which has been changed from a workshop to a workshop/business meeting to accommodate what Phillips called "a lot of end-of-year stuff."

"We're looking at the lay of the land" regarding the AD's job, he said after Monday's session. "We're definitely going to slide someone in there. The question is who, and in what capacity -- and whether it will be a full-time or part-time job."

In other business:

--Board President Brian O'Donnell said that the $400 collected at the recent Jean Lawton Memorial Walk -- the proceeds go to the Watkins Glen Public Library -- has grown to $1,003 through mail-in donations.

--O'Donnell assured French teacher Bridget Searles that the district French program will not be terminated, but based on numbers is slated to be reduced. Searles had feared it was targeted for elimination.

--The board said the girls varsity soccer program has not been scrapped, although nobody has been named to coach the squad. The matter was raised by a parent concerned that her daughter and other students might have no place to play, and wondered if they could -- if the program were terminated -- play on the boys team or in another district. Phillips said after the meeting that that particular girls sport is thin on participation, and being watched closely to determine if it's feasible to field a squad.

--Approved a revised contract with the Watkins Glen Faculty Association that reduces the amount of teachers' scheduled raises, and increases their prescription drug co-pay. "With this agreement," said Phillips to the Board, "the one thing we discussed internally was to alleviate high class size. If we could mitigate (the budget constraints) through savings with the WGFA, there were three positions we wanted to put back." Those include a High School Science position and two Elementary positions -- which he recommended be reinstated. The Board approved the measure.

--Heard an update on the Afterschool Program at the Middle School from director Erica Murray, who said there were 155 fifth through eighth grade students enrolled in the program this year, exceeding the planned maximum, and that the average daily attendance was 105. The number of families served: 145. While federal funding through the 21st Century Learning Center program continues for two more years, the probability exists that funding from the state through an Advantage Afterschool program will likely end this year due to extreme cutbacks in the program statewide, Murray said. If that happens and no substitute funding is found, she added, the local Afterschool program could be pared back by as much as 50 percent next year.

Photos in text:

From top: New football coach Lou Condon Jr., Superintendent Tom Phillips, and Afterschool Program director Erica Murray at Monday night's session.

Watkins teachers revise pact

Approve reduction in pay raise; report says move restored 3 jobs

WATKINS GLEN, June 3 -- Members of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association (WGFA) have approved revisions to their contract that reduce the amount of their scheduled pay raise and increase prescription drug co-pays.

"The concessions," a published report says, "will allow the district to bring back a high school science teacher and two elementary teachers" -- three of the 10.5 positions that were eliminated in the 2011-12 school district budget approved by voters in May. The report aired on WETM-TV.

Those jobs were not mentioned in a press release issued by the district about the concessions, which quoted Superintendent Tom Phillips as saying that "representatives of the Association approached district officials asking to reopen their existing contract, which is in effect through 2012."

In a further email explanation the following morning, Phillips maintained there was no quid pro quo.

"Teachers," he said, "wanted to make (that) clear, and there wasn't any. It was truly a district decision to bring back teachers at the Elementary to ease class size and the Science at the High School to restore program reduction."

The press release said the existing contract "called for a 3.5 percent increase in pay for next year. Instead, Watkins Glen teachers will receive a 2.5 percent increase."

"In addition," the press release said, "faculty members agreed to a change in their health care plan that includes a reduction in the premium, but carries higher co-pays for prescription drugs. The new health care plan also encourages the use of generic drugs over brand name ones, which will result in savings."

The release also quoted the superintendent as saying that the change in the health care plan "is projected to save the district about $1.5 million during the next three years.” Phillips added in a televised interview that the overall agreement shows an "understanding of the economic situation and a willingness to sacrifice for the good of the students."

Teachers, the press release said, "also agreed to freeze their hourly pay rates for additional duties, and slowed the increase of extra-curricular stipends."

“They didn’t request any guarantees or provisions regarding future layoffs," Phillips was quoted as saying. “They came to the district in good faith, said they realized the difficulty of the district’s financial situation and wanted to help.”

The press release also quoted Rick Comfort, WGFA president, as saying that "the Association recognized the difficult financial situation and decided to help relieve the burden placed on the taxpayers."

Comfort, according to the release, also said: “In this decision, the teachers decided to take a salary reduction for the betterment of the children and programs. We strongly believe the education and the extra curricular activities that we provide for the children better prepare them for the future. Therefore, working with the district made a win-win situation for teachers, taxpayers and children.”

The Board of Education agenda for the upcoming June 6 meeting was revised Friday to approve the WGFA contract. Other job matters, including fall coaching appointments, are also on the agenda.

D.A. to students: Don't drink and drive

WATKINS GLEN, June 1 -- Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary and his Chief Assistant D.A., Matt Hayden, spelled out the perils of drunk driving Tuesday to high school students from the Watkins Glen and Bradford districts.

The warning came during an assembly in the WGHS auditorium, attended by 9th through 12th graders from both districts.

The recently completed Prom Weekend and the upcoming Graduation Weekend constitute "the period when most accidents occur in the nation's teenage population," noted a slide presented as part of Fazzary's power-point presentation

Among the warnings issued by the two men:

--"Don't ever get in a car with a driver who's been drinking ... (But) if you find yourself in that situation, at the very least, put your seatbelt on. It might be the only thing that saves your life."

--A parent "may never ever provide an alcoholic beverage to another person's child." That is a crime, carryng a $1,000 fine per child served, and can put the offending parent "on the hook for any injuries" or damages resulting from a subsequent accident that can be linked back to that drink.

--DWI fatalities are the Number One cause of death for teens in the United States. "I just don't want you to be one of those numbers," Fazzary told the students.

--The consequences of a DWAI or DWI conviction are longlasting and far-reaching, Hayden explained, costing the guilty party thousands of dollars at the least, and possibly years in jail. And even after jail, civil penalties can be extensive if someone was injured or died as a result of the drinking and driving.

--Examples of area fatalities included one where a girl died in a vehicle driven by her best friend. "You don't want to kill your best friend," said Fazzary. "We gotta make sure nobody ends up seriously injured or dead -- not just in this time frame, but for the rest of your lives."

--"Please, please," said the D.A. "Don't drink and drive."

Photo in text: District Attorney Joe Fazzary, right, makes a point at the assembly while Chief Assistant D.A. Matt Hayden listens.

WG trek raises funds for Malawi Children's Village

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 27 -- Watkins Glen students, faculty and community members braved the cold wind early Saturday morning to help raise money to support the Malawi Children's Village in the southeastern African country of Malawi.

Participants ran, jogged, walked and bicycled along the Catharine Valley Trail from the Watkins Glen Elementary School all the way to Montour Falls. Some participants even completed the route multiple times spurred on by sponsors who promised donations for each lap completed.

The Malawi Children's Village is an orphanage that cares for hundreds of children orphaned by AIDS in the impoverished country. The Watkins Glen Interact Club as well as local Rotary Clubs have a long history of support for the work of Malawi Children's Village. People can learn more at www.malawichildrensvillage.org

The Watkins Glen Girls track team led the way through the freezing temperatures and blistering wind. The runners gathered pledges and donated their own hard-earned money toward the goal of purchasing over 100 new bicycle tires for the African volunteers who care for the orphans. The participants were inspired to act when they learned the story of the African volunteers who ride their bikes from Village to Village taking supplies to the orphans being raised by friends and family.

Faculty members Trevor Holland, Kelsey Wood and Travis Durfee provided inspiration and encouragement to the enthusiastic group, whose work ensured that the fundraising goal would be met.

Fundraiser Rowan Elizabeth is traveling to Malawi next week with her family. She recently learned that the Malawi Volunteers were having difficulty getting new bicycle tires.

"Without new tires, the volunteers cannot get to the many orphans who need help," she said.

Since the word about those troubles was circulated recently, the local community has donated over $2,000.

Photos in text: Some of the Saturday fund-raisers, and faculty member Trevor Holland on his bike. (Photos provided)

Watkins School District is cutting 11 from its staff

Study Committee to Board: Move forward with Single Campus plan

WATKINS GLEN, March 22 -- The Watkins Glen School District has informed 11 staff members that their services will end June 30 -- victims of the economy and of a school budget that still has a revenue gap of $520,000.

Superintendent Tom Phillips, at a meeting of the School Board Monday night, outlined the cuts and warned that while academics "has taken the brunt of the first cuts," there could be another wave affecting instructional support and extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs and tutoring.

Meanwhile, the Facilities Study Committee charged by the board with producing a recommendation on a proposal to close the Middle School and consolidate all classroom and administrative functions onto a single campus told the board to move forward in that direction.

Staff Cuts:

Phillips said that the staff cuts include 5.5 Elementary Teaching positions, 3 High School Teaching positions, 1 District Administrative position, and 1 District Guidance position.

With a revenue gap still existing of $520,000, he said, the board is looking at other areas to consolidate in order to avoid going to the voters with a 7% tax-rate hike. Those areas include:

--Transportation, by trimming the current double runs at the beginning and end of each day to a single run each. That would place K-12 students in a combined pick-up, with uniform start and end daily schedules.

--Athletics, by combining sports levels (creating Modified A for Grades 7-9 and eliminating Middle School Modified and Junior Varsity); by the elimination of Assistant Coaching positions; and by eliminating "specific programs."

--Academic Programs, by eliminating or reducing field trips, professional conferences, professional development and the purchase of equipment.

Unless there is a significant restoration of funds on the state level, Phillips said, "something's gotta give. I urge residents to feel free to communicate ideas they might have to board members or by calling the school." Toward that end, a PTO-sponsored session at 6:30 p.m. March 29 in the Elementary School Auditorium will provide an opportunity for residents "to discuss all of these issues."

Single Campus Concept:

Study committee members Ann Tuttle and John Terry presented a power-point outline to the board on the committee findings and thinking. Most telling, perhaps, was the revelation that the Middle School has 93,910 square feet when only about 20,000 is needed for the number of students it serves.

Another factor that swayed the committee was the drop in district enrollment from 1980 to the present day. It has fallen from 1,693 students (K-12) to 1,169, a decrease of 524, or roughly 30%. Available data indicates the enrollent in 2016-17 will be down only slightly from this year. "The committee," Tuttle said, feels the district facilities "should align with student enrollment."

The committee also weighed the costs of transporting Middle School students to required programs at the high school, the cost of upkeep at the aging facility, and the potential for increased efficiencies on the campus now housing the high school and elementary school.

The matter is now in the hands of the School Board's Facilities Committee -- Tom Richardson, Joe Fazzary and Gloria Brubaker -- which will report its recommendation to the full board at an April 11 meeting. Assuming the Facilities Committee gives the project its blessing and the full board concurs, detailed plans will be prepared and state aid sought as the district moves toward a possible district-wide vote in December.

If all were to go well, the groundbreaking would come in the spring of 2013, with construction to follow over the following year-plus.

Initial plans envision no addition to the Elementary School, and placement of grades 7-9 in the area now housing the district offices -- which would be relocated on campus. Six new rooms would be constructed for high school students, and the library would be expanded. The old pool would be eliminated, its space taken for Physical Education.

"We'd be looking at adding about 20,000 square feet," Buildings Chief Mike DeNardo said, explaining that the new construction would not impinge on the "green areas" utilized for athletics.

Photos in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips, top, and Study Committee representatives John Terry and Ann Tuttle at Monday night's School Board meeting.

From left: School Board member Mike Myers, Superintendent Tom Phillips, and School Board President Brian O'Donnell.

School Board honors WGHS Section IV sports champions

WATKINS GLEN, March 8 -- It was a night of celebration Monday at a meeting of the Watkins Glen School Board.

The school's Section IV champions from the winter season just passed were honored with certificates of achievement: Adam Hughey, a Class C wrestling champion; the girls varsity bowling team, which won the Class C championship; and the boys varsity swim team, which won the Class C title for the second straight year.

Those 30 athletes on hand, along with parents and siblings, turned the meeting room into a celebration chamber for the first part of the meeting. Once the certificates were distributed to each student-athlete and their coaches, they all departed.

"I know you want to get home and hit the books," said Board President Brian O'Donnell to moderate laughter after he thanked the athletes "for the wonderful memories."

Added Superintendent Tom Phillips: "I'm proud to lead a district with this much success. It's a testament to the students."

Among the evening's other highlights:

--O'Donnell lauded the superintendent for his decision to forgo "any pay increase for the 2011-12 year. Mr. Phillips consistently receives a unanimous rating of Commendable from our Board on the very consistent and successful job he does with energy and enthusiasm, with kindness and caring and with a focus and passion...

"Given the uncertain and challenging economic times we are in and our struggle to balance personnel and program with available financial resources, it is very refreshing to have a superintendent place the goals of our district above self. We are most fortunate to have such a person leading our district."

--Phillips and O'Donnell described their recent attendance at a U.S. Department of Education Conference in Denver, a gathering that focused on furthering efficiency through cooperation between labor and management. With them at the conference was Fiona Gibson, Watkins Glen Faculty Association chief negotiator.

Phillips said they were both "happy and surprised" to come back not just with memories of a number of speeches, but also with what O'Donnell described as "a blueprint -- so to speak -- of how we can and will do business locally to honor the end goal of increased student achievement regardless of our resources."

The board president said the conference "reinforced the importance and value of working together to help solve each other's problems and concerns; the importance of trust, integrity and shared responsibility in the process of collaboration; and the importance of finding new ways to work together during these trying financial crises.

"We know that unfunded mandates cause undo stress and anxiety on the health of a healthy district -- and we are a healthy district facing severe financial challenges as are our peers across the state and country. We know that divergent viewpoints are a fact of life, and good, honest, sincere and consistent communication and collaboaration will -- as one conference attendee stated -- 'allow us to wrestle with the issues and not with each other.'"

The end result, said Phillips, will be a plan derived through a survey of students and parents this spring that the district will "peel apart and analyze" in June and July toward developing an "action plan" on increasing efficiency and enhancing programs. It will be unveiled with the start of the next school year.

--O'Donnell read a message from district physician Dr. Jamie Coleman, who is being deployed overseas for a fourth time this spring. Coleman thanked the School Board for its "patience and understanding." The board president said he thinks "we should be thanking him ... for all he does for our district...We support him and we appreciate him."

--O'Donnell noted that an afterschool 21st Century grant program that serves 130 students will evidently be scaled back after November 30, the cutoff date of state grant funding of the program. A federal grant, active for another two-and-a-half years, will still support 75 of the 130 students. The program "could look a little different this time next year," O'Donnell said. "Hopefully it will still be in place."

--The board president announced that a Jean Lawton Memorial Walk on the high school track will be held on a Saturday morning in May or June. Lawton, who died Feb. 25, taught in the Watkins district for 37 years, and was well known for her dedication to walking and other exercise. Further details on the Memorial Walk will be announced.

Photos in text: Among the student-athletes receiving certificates from School Board President Brian O'Donnell were, from top: Wrestler Adam Hughey, swimmer Chris Gill, bowler Kylee Carrigan, and assistant swim coach Abby Cocca.

Faculty and staff on hand for the graduation ceremony gave a loud round of applause upon presentation of the diploma to Bill Hartman.

New graduate never gave up

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 28 -- It was, in the words of Watkins Glen High School Principal Dave Warren, "really special."

It was a moment that brought dozens of faculty and staff members to the WGHS lobby to show their appreciation.

It was the presentation Thursday morning of a high school diploma to William J. Hartman, Jr. -- known to everyone as Bill -- about a year-and-a-half after his Watkins Glen classmates received theirs.

Hartman, Warren explained before the ceremony, had come up short on achievements necessary for the 2009 graduation because he'd still needed to complete a couple of "minimum required State Exams. Global Studies was giving him the most trouble."

After his class of 2009 had moved on, Hartman continued to pursue his diploma with a "reduced schedule at the high school," Warren said, taking and retaking the needed exams until finally passing them this month.

Hartman, now 20, was greeted in the moments before the ceremony by a teacher, who exclaimed: "You did it!"

"I had to," said Hartman. "You can't ever give up."

That was the theme of remarks at the ceremony, attended by Hartman's mother and a friend of hers, along with some of the graduate's friends. Faculty and staff gathered in the lobby as bright sunlight pierced the windows looking out onto a courtyard.

"It's commendable," Warren told the gathering, "that Bill stuck to it. We're proud of him."

Superintendent Tom Phillips was on hand, too, and held up a drawing of a pelican trying to swallow a frog while the frog grips the pelican around the neck. Hartman, he said, was like the frog, grabbing the system by the throat until it gave him his due.

"A person like you," Phillips said, "is what makes us happy to come to school every day."

And Watkins Glen School Board President Brian O'Donnell, before presenting the diploma to Hartman, quoted the late WGHS wrestling coach, Mike Watson.

"It doesn't matter where you finish," O'Donnell said, "just that you finish."

Hartman held his diploma aloft proudly as the audience cheered, and then got hugs from several people.

Those in attendance then lunched on sandwiches, chips, soda and cake provided by the district for the occasion.

Photos in text:

Top: Bill Hartman with his diploma. Superintendent Tom Phillips (left) and School Board President Brian O'Donnell are in the background.

Bottom: The new graduate gets a hug and a handshake from High School Principal Dave Warren.

Committee greenlights move toward Middle School closing, single campus

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 20 -- The Community Advisory Committee charged with considering the viability and desirability of closing the Middle School and creating a single Watkins Glen School District campus unanimously agreed at its meeting Wednesday night that the district should move forward with the development of plans along that line.

The 12-member committee -- plus the co-chairs, District Superintendent Tom Phillips and District Buildings Chief Mike DeNardo -- met in the High School library to consider pros and cons of the proposed closure and single campus, and agreed conceptually that the plans should move ahead.

Phillips said the group studied the immediate district financial hurdles -- a possible $1.8 million budget gap -- and the likelihood of financial constraints in the future, and decided it was not in the district's best interest to continue using an oversized, costly school with the district enrollment having declined.

"It's the committee's feeling," said Phllips, "that it is worth moving forward with further investigation of a single campus."

The committee will prepare a report at its February meeting, and present it to the School Board Facilities Committee at a March 21 board workshop. The full board will receive the Facilities Committee report on April 4.

The project, if approved, would involve closing and selling the Middle School, renovating parts of the Elementary and High Schools, and constructing some additions on the single-campus grounds -- all subject to the approval of district voters.

The process leading to that vote, said Phillips, would be a lengthy one -- assuming the School Board approves it. A district-wide vote would likely come in December, followed by a long review (possibly a year or more) by the State Education Department before any bidding could occur.

Bottom line on a completion date for construction, Phillips said, would be 2015.

Members of the Advisory Committee are Brian Gardner of Beaver Dams, and Ann & Kyle Tuttle, Amedeo Fraboni, Judy Phillips, John Terry, Dominick Smith, David Waite, Kenneth Wilson, Elizabeth Duane, Heather Bilinski-Bryerton and Betty Schmizzi of Watkins Glen. Judy Phillips is the mayor of Watkins Glen.

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips prepares for the committee meeting by posting charts to track the pros and cons of the proposed single-campus concept.

Middle: Committee member Judy Phillips talks to committee co-chair Mike DeNardo.

Bottom: Committee member Amedeo Fraboni before the start of the meeting.

.Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/

Watkins Glen School Board

Meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Unless otherwise stated, Board of Education meetings are held in the Board Room at the high school, next to the guidance office, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (These are open meetings usually following a 5:45 p.m. Executive Session).

Residents of the district are invited to attend board meetings and observe the deliberations of the board.

Board members are as follows:

Thomas Richardson

119 Durland Place

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-7472

Brian J. O’Donnell, President

101 Willow Drive

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-4871

Joseph Fazzary

310 8th Street

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-2543

Michael D. Myers, Vice President

3650 Rose Lane

Burdett, NY 14818

546-5375

Gloria Brubaker

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Kevin Field

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Robert Dill

Old Corning Road, Watkins Glen

Each of the board's seven elected trustees serve three-year terms of office. The terms are staggered so two or three board members are elected each year.

An organizational meeting of the board is held each July. During this meeting, board
members elect a president and vice president.

Members serve on various board committees, including Personnel, Curriculum, Buildings and Grounds, Transportation and Finance. Much of the board’s work is done through these committees.

Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/